NEW YORK (Sputnik) — More than sixty people gathered in front of Schumer's office in midtown Manhattan, but the number has been steadily growing.
"Democrats [should] grow a spine. Our generation is drawing a stark line in the sand," Olsen said. "Democrats, you must pick a side: Trump or all of us."
The protesters are demanding that Schumer and other key Democrats in the US Congress block the nomination of Trump’s picks for the new cabinet, particularly the nomination of Republican Senator Jeff Sessions as the next US attorney general.
The protesters have displayed a large banner "Democrats, Block Trump's Racist Agenda" and chanted slogans, including "Not one step back," and "Forward together."
Schumer as well as other senior Democratic lawmakers have came under severe criticism by progressives for inaction in the face of what protesters perceive is racial injustice, failure to support the working class and sweeping political control of large corporations.
Protester Harry Blaze told Sputnik that Democrats like Schumer have taken young voters and people of color for granted, and conned working class voters in favor of Wall Street interests.
"Once again, they’re putting our lives and democracy on the line by considering compromises with Trump. They may be bought by Wall Street — but we won’t let them sell us out to an authoritarian," Blaze stated.
Many protesters blame establishment Democrats for Trump's victory in the 2016 presidential election. They claim the Democratic Party is out of touch with ordinary Americans and has effectively paved the way for electing a radical and incompetent president.
"We have to build a better America and that starts here in New York," protester Michael Bright said. "Establishment Democrats abandoned working families like mine, opening the door to Trump's false populism."
The protesters said they plan to deliver a petition with more than 200,000 signatures to Schumer, urging him to take direct action against Trump’s policies.
